by Carol Ross
“Sounds fun. Be safe, and I will definitely talk to you later.”
A brief conversation with her mom only revealed a more detailed version of what Scarlett had reported. Ending the call, she found herself inside Henry’s room. Not surprisingly, it was neat and tidy in that way that didn’t look like it had been cleaned for company. There were no splashes of fabric peeking out of drawers or smashed shoes showing under the edge of the closet door. And why would there be? A bubble of bitter laughter welled up from deep inside of her. Doubtful that he could have anticipated that he’d be harboring a fugitive. Besides, this neatness was totally in line with his personality. And clearly, she was redirecting her thoughts, so she didn’t have to face what was happening.
Henry must have suspected so, too, because he suggested, “Why don’t we sit down, and we’ll figure this out.”
She did. With the shock wearing off, tears began to pool in her eyes. She blinked them away, but the emotion migrated to clog her throat so that when she spoke it was a raspy likeness of her usual voice, “I don’t know what to do.”
“Can you tell me about it?”
Could she? She’d never spoken the words aloud to anyone. Not even to Mama or Mémé. Austin and Linus had been adamant about that detail. One word, and they’d sue her for custody of Scarlett. She realized now that Scarlett was older, and Austin was a terrible father, and with the records to prove it, that likely wouldn’t happen. But at the time, it easily could have.
Henry, looking somber and concerned, retrieved two bottles of water from the fridge, passed one to her and took a seat in an adjacent chair.
Trying to think this through, she opened the bottle and took a drink. She hadn’t even realized she was thirsty until the cool water soothed her dry-as-paper throat. Too bad there was nothing to soothe the humiliation and despair now burning her from the inside out. She could see no good outcome here. Turning her thoughts to the facts, she acknowledged that somehow the story of her arrest and conviction had gotten out.
“You don’t have to tell me anything at all. But if you want to talk, I promise it will stay between us. Victoria, I know it sounds odd, but I adore you almost like you were my own daughter. I want to help. There’s nothing you could tell me that would change the way I feel about you.”
All she saw was sincerity, concern and patience, as well as a complete lack of judgment as she studied Henry’s face. It did something to her. Maybe it was because she’d never had a dad, but if she did, she’d want him to be just like this man. Or maybe it was because she couldn’t stand the thought of him believing the worst, or of someone not knowing the truth.
“I was seventeen when Austin and I started dating. Austin was twenty-three. We’d only been together a few months when I found out I was pregnant.” She winced. “I hadn’t even told him yet. I hadn’t told anyone. I wasn’t exactly in denial. I just wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. I needed time to process the fact that I was going to be a teenaged mom. And figure out how to tell my mama and grandma.
“That day, I was really sick, pregnancy sick, and I didn’t want to go out with him because everything made me want to puke. Especially smells. Even the smell of fish, if you can believe that one.”
Henry offered a sympathetic smile.
“But Austin showed up anyway with his friend Gordy. They wanted to go fishing and needed a boat. I let them use one of ours. I had no idea what they were planning. A few hours later, they came racing back to the resort. Austin came and got me, all frantic, and dragged me out to the dock. When Fish and Game showed up a few minutes later, I still didn’t know what they’d done. But the game wardens did. The idiots had the live well full of illegal fish.
“We were all three taken in for questioning. They were facing huge trouble. The boys both knew not to say a word. Austin and Gordy were both in law school. Gordy’s dad was a judge. Austin and his father, Linus, convinced me to take the blame. Since I was a minor, if I pleaded guilty, the documents would remain sealed. Forever. If Austin had this on his record, it would hurt his career, and ruin his dreams of a political future.
“I resisted. He begged. I told him I was pregnant and didn’t want my child to have a convict for a mother. He knew how badly I wanted to go to college. Austin and his dad told me that if I agreed to do this, Austin would marry me. I’d have all the financial help I’d ever need. Then, when he finished law school, I could go to college. And they’d pay for it all.”
She paused and shook her head. When she went on, her voice cracked on the words, “This is still very humiliating.”
“It doesn’t sound like you did anything wrong.”
Pulling herself together, she exhaled sharply and continued, “I agreed. I signed the statement. And then... Scarlett was only a few months old when I discovered he was cheating with his high school girlfriend, Amber. Had been all along. She was the woman he wanted, the one he’d intended to marry. I was just a...distraction. A mistake. And then his get out of jail free card. Such a cliché, stupid poor girl falls for rich boy and ends up pregnant.”
Henry’s composed expression had gone cold, unreadable. “You are not stupid, Victoria. You were a girl, yes. But not a stupid one.”
“Their family is very old-school. Linus told me that if I divorced Austin, the college deal would no longer be valid. I had a choice—I could stay married knowing my husband had a mistress he was in love with and go to college, or I could divorce him and get nothing.
“When I threatened to expose them, tell everyone what really happened, they laughed at me. Why would anyone believe me? They mocked me, ridiculed me, pointed out how I’d just look like the scorned, bitter woman that I was. I still had to live with myself, so I chose divorce. And of course, there was my daughter. It didn’t matter, I told myself, because out of the ashes of that flaming mess, I got to keep Scarlett. He didn’t even try and fight me for her. My mama and grandma were so supportive. Mémé, she... She never said I told you so after she warned me about Austin. And, oh she sure could have...” Trailing off thoughtfully, she brushed a tear from her cheek.
“Anyway, they dove right in with helping me raise this incredibly amazing child. And gave me time to pull myself together. I forgave myself for being weak and stupid, told myself that it didn’t matter. I might not have a college degree, but I could still have something that was my own. That I’d accomplished. And I figured out how to do that. I still can’t believe I’m here...”
“I can,” Henry said. “You are exceptional, Victoria. And everything you’ve been through and now accomplished should reinforce that.”
She would have smiled at that, but fresh tears got in the way. “And now, the one thing I wanted, he’s taken from me. Again. I’m not saying that I think they were going to choose me, Henry. Losing to you or Seth fairly, I could handle. I was at peace with that. You both deserve this job. But this, having it taken from me, this feels like losing to him all over again.”
“Because it is,” Henry agreed. “That’s exactly how I would feel, too. What if you told your story now?” he suggested. “Expose this despicable piece of trash for what he truly is.”
Victoria gave him a sad smile. “I still have the same problem. I have no proof. I confessed. Linus Galbraith is still wealthy and powerful. Who would believe me?”
“Reality and perceptions are often at odds. Let’s take a minute to consider your options.”
But there was only one option, and she knew it. Victoria had no choice but to withdraw her name from consideration. The job application had included her signed promise that she’d never been convicted of a crime. She’d turned in the paperwork believing that her juvenile record had been stricken and no longer mattered. The realization was like a painful blow. But not nearly as much as the one that came next; she and Seth could no longer be together. This would follow her forever. And him, by extension.
If the company discovered they were dating,
it would undoubtedly affect his chances. At the very least, his judgment would be doubted. At worst, his honesty and integrity questioned. She hated how her mistakes could rub off on people she cared about.
Henry! She shouldn’t even be here. “I’m so sorry, Henry. I shouldn’t have told you all of that because now I have to ask you to lie for me if anyone...”
“Hey, stop that. It’s your story. It’s nobody else’s business.”
“But this could look bad for you.”
“I can take care of myself. But I think you should consider talking—”
“No, Henry. I appreciate you wanting to help. And just finally telling someone the truth, having you know that I’m not the person they’re saying I am means so much to me. But the truth doesn’t matter. I know what I have to do. And right now, I have to get out of here.”
* * *
A FEW MINUTES LATER, after Henry escorted her to her room, shockingly without being accosted, Victoria was stuffing clothes and belongings into her suitcase and backpack.
Taking a deep breath, she composed an email to Marissa and then quickly hit Send before she could overthink it. Next, she tapped out a text to Seth, immediately deleted it, and started over again. Three more texts, three more deletes. Working on a fourth when a check of the clock told her she needed to get moving. Delete.
Henry, bless him, would be going to meet Seth right now so that she didn’t have to worry about running into him. After a quick study of the hotel map, she rode the elevator to the third floor, where one of the restaurants was located. From there, she did her best to casually stroll through the place. She descended a set of stairs and exited onto the street. Then she opened an app on her phone and requested a ride. Four minutes later, she was on her way to the airport.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“YEAH. I KNOW she’s gone.” Seth frowned at Henry. “I’ve been texting and calling and waiting for her to show up.” He assumed she’d left to take a walk or get some air. “But she needs to get back here so we can straighten this mess out before the ceremony.”
Henry had texted, asking if he could meet for a drink in a bar near the hotel. Hazel had been with him, so he’d brought her along because he could barely think straight.
“She probably got the job. I don’t know about you, but if I were the one doing the hiring, I would give it to her. No offense.”
“None taken.” Henry smiled, but it was a little weak, sad. “I’d give it to her, too.”
“Seth,” Hazel said, glancing up from where she’d been studying her phone’s display. “What Henry is saying is that Victoria will not be attending the ceremony.”
Henry confirmed this when he exchanged a pointed look with Hazel. There might have been something else in the glance as well, but... Wait, she was gone?
In tune with Seth’s thoughts, Henry clarified, “She’s withdrawn her name from consideration. She’s on her way back to Louisiana.”
“Why would she do that? That seems extreme.” As did her leaving without telling him, talking to him, allowing him to help or at least... Be with her. Be there for her.
“When we applied for this position, we signed a statement declaring that we’d never been convicted of a felony or a wildlife violation.”
“Yes, but...” Seth hadn’t yet considered that the accusation might be valid. “Henry, are you saying you believe this is true?”
“She told me it was.”
“She told you?” Seth asked, unable to keep the hurt and disbelief from his voice. What else had she told him?
“Yes. But, Seth, it was because I ran into her downstairs in the lobby. She had just picked up your pizzas and had no idea the story was out there. I felt like I had to tell her what was going on, so she wasn’t completely blindsided. I only managed to barely accomplish that because approximately one minute later, she was approached by two different reporters. I got her out of there, and we went up to my room, talked briefly, and then she insisted she had to leave.”
Seth wanted to ask what they’d talked about, what things she’d told him, but he shouldn’t have to. Didn’t he deserve the same consideration as Henry? Or more. They were in a relationship. One where they’d agreed to be together, to see each other exclusively and as often as possible. He’d told her he loved her. No, she hadn’t said the words, but he knew she felt them. Or, at least, he believed she did. Her actions suggested she did.
But he also knew what a great actress she was, didn’t he? She’d proven that time and time again. Uncertainty and frustration crowded their way in. Was it possible she wasn’t who he believed her to be? That would mean everything she’d said, and done, was a lie. Seth refused to accept that. He needed to hear the words from her. Innocent until proven otherwise, right?
“I was afraid of this,” Hazel said, madly clicking and scrolling around on her phone.
“Afraid of what? That she was some sort of criminal?”
“No! I was afraid that there was a reason why she bolted. Maybe it is as simple as she did it. But I’m leaning toward the possibility that there’s another explanation. I’ve traced the Tweets back to Louisiana. The story broke online in a local newspaper. I just found the original article.”
“What’s the site?” Henry asked.
Hazel told him, and now that Seth was accepting the reality, questions rushed in, “But why would someone do this? Who would do this to her?”
Hazel answered, “I’m working on that. Someone jealous, maybe? Even the smallest taste of celebrity can bring out the worst in people.”
Hazel reached over and gave his forearm a squeeze. “Hopefully, this article will give us some answers. In the meantime, it’s important that you don’t give anything away regarding your feelings for Victoria. If people discover you’re in a relationship, they won’t want to believe that you didn’t know about this. And even if they do believe you didn’t know, they’ll criticize you for not knowing. Or for being ignorant, or for getting duped. You can’t win this, so you need to stay quiet.”
“Hazel, that’s...twisted. And wrong.”
She shrugged an agreeable shoulder. “That’s social media.”
“Are you saying that I’m supposed to pretend like Victoria means nothing to me?”
“For now. The good thing about social media is that it’s a fickle beast with a short attention span.” Cocking her head as if considering her own statement, she qualified with the assertion. “Usually. The key is not to feed the monster. At all. Stay silent. Act surprised.”
“I am surprised!”
“That’s good. Fortunately, and unfortunately, you three have made a lot of fans. Whoever handles social media at Romeo Reels has helped to make you guys stars, in the fishing world at least. Their Twitter account has over five-hundred thousand followers, which means a ton of comments and opinions. Sometimes those can take on a life of their own. You need to wait for this to die down. See how the dust settles.”
“You mean leave Victoria to deal with it on her own?”
“Seth, I know you want to help. But she handled her life just fine before you came into it. Let her do this. At least, for now. Until we have more information.”
He knew what Hazel was implying, that he thought he could rescue Victoria, take care of her. But that wasn’t it at all. What he had with Victoria was balanced, equal. They were like a team. He was there for her; she was there for him. That’s how they rolled.
He was better with Victoria, focused and prepared, and yet she kept him grounded. And he helped with her confidence, provided perspective and kept her calm. But his thoughts were also bouncing all over the place, and he felt conflicted now that she’d left and would not communicate with him. Maybe he’d read it all wrong.
“Seth, I’m ninety-nine percent certain that Victoria has already reached this same conclusion. Why do you suppose you haven’t heard from her? She’s keeping her distanc
e from you for the same reason. She doesn’t want any of this scandal to touch you.”
“That part I can confirm,” Henry said.
“But I don’t want to—”
“What good will it do for you to ruin this for yourself?” she asked. “If you don’t get this gig, you’ll get another offer. You’ve already been approached by various companies expressing interest if Romeo doesn’t hire you. No matter what, a relationship with Victoria hurts you right now, hurts your chances of getting a pro staff, or some other cool fishing job. Victoria’s thinking of what’s best for you, Seth.”
* * *
BUYING A TICKET, getting through security, navigating the terminal, finding her gate, walking, and doing all the mundane travel details made it easier for Victoria to stave off the pain. But all along, she felt it. Like there was a knife being held to her heart just piercing the edge, waiting for her to stop moving. Waiting until there were no distractions so that it could properly slice its way inside and deliver maximum impact.
Now, strapped into her seat at thirty-some-thousand feet above Florida’s gulf water, there was nothing to do and nowhere to go. Nothing to stop the knife. Unlatching the tray table, she folded her arms, dropped her head to rest there and let the searing white-hot blade do its damage.
Not getting the job was bad enough. A terrible disappointment for sure. But like she’d told both Seth and Henry, she’d been prepared for the possibility of losing to either of them. To even be considered in the same league as them was an honor. To have made it that far was her greatest personal triumph to date. A dream come true. She’d made connections, gotten a glimpse of other opportunities that might be available if this job didn’t pan out.
It was how it was ending that was killing her. Forfeiting in shame elevated her failure to a completely new level. She’d finally gotten a taste of a different world, a life of her choosing, only to have it disintegrate around her. Taking all those options with it. Another nightmare come true, courtesy of Austin. And she hadn’t thought anything could be worse than what he’d already done to her. How wrong she’d been.
